Category: International regulations

Since 1999, Canada has prohibited the use of the artificial growth hormone rBST, while its use is still permitted in the United States, representing the primary distinction in hormone content. This critical policy difference shapes whether US dairy has more hormones than Canadian dairy, impacting animal health and consumer perceptions across the border.

In 2007, a study conducted at the University of Southampton found that a mixture of artificial food colorings and a common preservative could increase hyperactivity in children. These findings are a key reason why Red 40, also known as Allura Red AC, has been banned or restricted in some countries but not in others. The global discrepancy in regulating this common food dye highlights significant differences in scientific interpretation and regulatory philosophies.

According to the Pan American Health Organization, Mexico has implemented one of the most advanced front-of-package labeling systems globally to combat high rates of obesity and diabetes. This regulation, mandated under the Official Mexican Standard NOM-051, makes nutrition facts and warning seals a mandatory requirement for most packaged food products.

Despite once facing significant restrictions due to flawed animal studies from the 1970s, saccharin is now approved for human consumption in over 100 countries worldwide. The question of what countries is saccharin banned in has a much different answer today than it did decades ago, reflecting a major shift in scientific consensus and global policy. This guide details the history and current state of saccharin regulations around the globe.

In 1991, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) initially banned stevia imports, citing safety concerns based on early studies. Today, highly purified steviol glycosides are widely accepted, but answering 'is stevia banned in certain countries?' is not a simple yes or no, as its regulatory status varies significantly around the globe.

In 1994, Canada banned the use of potassium bromate, a flour-improving agent that has been linked to cancer in animal studies. This carcinogenic substance is a prime example of what ingredient is banned in Canada but not the US, highlighting significant differences in cross-border food safety standards.

In 2013, a petition signed by over 348,000 people highlighted the issue of controversial ingredients in America's most popular boxed macaroni and cheese. This sparked a major debate, revealing why some countries have placed restrictions on certain mac and cheese products, not due to the dish itself, but because of specific artificial colorings and other chemical additives.

According to research from the Calorie Control Council, cyclamate is approved as a sweetener in over 130 countries, yet its presence in older formulas is a key reason why Diet Mountain Dew was banned in some nations. This regulatory divergence stems from decades-old scientific concerns and varying food safety standards worldwide.

In 2011, headlines screamed that Marmite had been banned in Denmark, sparking outrage among British expats. The truth, however, is more nuanced, with restrictions being tied to national laws regarding food fortification rather than any inherent danger with the yeast extract itself.

Food additives are regulated differently across the world, and many artificial food dyes allowed in countries like the United States are banned or heavily restricted elsewhere. These regulatory discrepancies often stem from varying interpretations of scientific evidence concerning the potential health risks of these synthetic colorants. The question of which countries banned food dyes reveals a significant global divide in food safety standards.